My son and I just finished fixing up a 1980 Suzuki FZ50. We were getting ready to push it to the garage from the basement when I see that the rear tire does not turn freely. If we push it with nobody on it the rear tire skids. If we sit on it and push it the rear wheel turns but I believe we are also turning the crank and the piston. The brake is not the issue because I can pull the brake lever and then the rear wheel locks right up.

We did take the crankcase cover off and replaced the kick starter shaft and kick starter.

I took the crankcase cover off and the piston does not move when we turn the tire, which is correct. So we put the cover back on and tightened. The piston again turns when we turn the tire.

I find that if we leave a very small gap, maybe 1/16", between the crankcase and the motor it works right. As soon as we tighten that little bit the piston turns with the rear tire. I played with all the shafts that go into the crankcase cover but saw nothing wrong.

chenige wrote:My son and I just finished fixing up a 1980 Suzuki FZ50. We were getting ready to push it to the garage from the basement when I see that the rear tire does not turn freely. If we push it with nobody on it the rear tire skids. If we sit on it and push it the rear wheel turns but I believe we are also turning the crank and the piston. The brake is not the issue because I can pull the brake lever and then the rear wheel locks right up.

We did take the crankcase cover off and replaced the kick starter shaft and kick starter.

Is it normal for the rear tire to do this?

no its not normal, if it is sticking when pushing still? try to look at how you fitted the exhaust... when you sit on the bike it moves? im guessing that the suspension is releasing pressure and allowing the wheel to spin? try it out